Why Should You Throw a Water Bottle Under the Bed When Checking into a Motel or Hotel Room?

It is essential to thoroughly check under the bed in a motel or hotel room to avoid risks and ensure safety for yourself and your companions.

Renting a room in a motel or hotel for rest during travel, leisure trips, or business trips has become very common for everyone. One of the key concerns when staying in unfamiliar places like these is safety.

Upon checking in, it’s crucial to inspect the room carefully to avoid potential issues. Most people tend to check the room's amenities, bathroom, and toilets to ensure everything is in order, and look out for suspicious devices like hidden cameras. However, very few people pay attention to the area under the bed. This can also be a place with hidden dangers that could affect the safety of your stay.

Esther, a Dutch flight attendant with years of experience working for European Airlines KLM, shared that when she checks into a hotel, she always throws a water bottle under the bed as a precautionary measure. This action helps to detect whether someone is hiding or if there’s an object under the bed.

You need to throw the water bottle forcefully from the side of the bed. If there’s something blocking it or someone hiding, the bottle will not roll out. In this case, you can look under the bed yourself, ask your companion to assist, or contact the hotel reception to check it together.

If there’s nothing blocking the bed, the bottle will easily roll from one side to the other. This gives you peace of mind about the room’s safety.

Bending down immediately to inspect the bed upon entering the room might startle you, and you might not have time to react if something or someone is hiding. In contrast, throwing the water bottle allows you to prepare and observe for any unusual signs. If you notice anything suspicious, you can leave the room immediately without having to continue checking under the bed.

If something feels off or unsettling in the room, it’s best to leave and contact the hotel security for assistance to ensure a thorough inspection.

Furthermore, checking under the bed also helps assess the cleanliness of the room. The area under the bed is often overlooked by cleaning staff and may accumulate dust or even trash. Many guests may accidentally leave items or litter under the bed. This could also become an ideal hiding spot for pests like mice or insects.

Therefore, checking under the bed when you check into a motel or hotel will help protect your safety and well-being during your stay.